Canicross Conversations

In this episode, Louise and Michelle are joined by Leasa, who tells us about her two whippets, Barley and Biscuit, as they have discovered the world of canicross over the last 18 months.   Leasa used to avoid sport altogether, but a simple Instagram reel introduced her into the warm‑hearted fold of a local canicross club, where encouragement and community helped her to grow not just as a runner, but also as a team with her dogs.   Leasa’s story shows that you don’t need to be an athlete to take part; with the right support, a few steps of kit, and a desire to just get out, it’s possible to join in and enjoy the ride.   If you’ve ever wondered whether canicross is for you or your dog, this episode is a warm invitation to try something new at your own pace.   Timings 00:01:24 – 00:02:03 – Lisa introduces herself, her dogs Barley (3) and Biscuit (2), and how the journey began. 00:02:03 – 00:03:03 – Lisa talking about her mental rut, the Instagram reel, and joining a local canicross club. 00:03:03 – 00:04:08 – Early struggles with Couch‐to‑5K, joining social runs, and how the club helped. 00:04:08 – 00:05:01 – The welcome, supportive culture of the club; no one gets left behind. 00:05:01 – 00:07:00 – How the dogs got into it: Barley’s progression, Biscuit’s natural pull, the feeling of working as a team. 00:07:00 – 00:10:30 – Race stories: first event experience, the joy of finishing, the difference between a “race” and “an event you enjoy”. 00:10:30 – 00:12:11 – Dog behaviours: reactivity, start‑line nerves, and how events accommodate that. 00:12:11 – 00:16:10 – Running with dogs vs running solo: the difference, the benefit of solo sessions, the concept of “easy runs”. 00:16:10 – 00:20:05 – Goals: signed up for 10 K, training together, accepting your pace, moving more and more. 00:20:05 – 00:25:00 – Motivation, how to start: tip to “just do it”, find a local club, support matters.     Lisa’s Instagram: @run_with_biscuit_and_barley

Michelle and Louise are joined by Brigid, a relatively new canicross enthusiast based in Ireland, who shares her journey with her Border Collie, Corvo.   Brigid adopted Corvo - her first dog - during lockdown, and soon discovered the demands of a high‑energy collie. She found her way into the canicross community, but then tragedy struck ....   Corvo was involved in a serious accident, where his leg was fractured. Brigid and Corvo are currently adapting to rehab and recovery, but they have big goals for when Corvo is recovered. A great lesson in patience, and hope.   Timings: 1.10 – introduction to Brigid & Corvo 2.34 – adjusting to life with a high‑energy Border Collie 4.20 – discovering canicross and joining the club 7.30 – starting running habit with dog, kit early stage 10.33 – first race experience and commitment 12.08 – the accident: how it happened 14.00 – immediate response, vet care and concerns 16.30 – specialist hospital and rehab plan 20.23 – building muscle, controlled rehab with the physio 24.00 – keeping Corvo mentally engaged during limited physical activity 27.45 – why core strength and strength training matter for dog sport 31.05 – habit formation, goal‑setting, moving forward 34.43 – Harness the Expert: building core strength 37.15 – how Pilates / short sessions fit into busy life 41.00 – closing thoughts & how to follow Brigid's journey   Useful links Instagram account: @RunningWithCrows Canicross Ireland Stop Walking Your Dog book Podcast episode 108 (March 2024) with Niki French Membership: Pilates / strength training membership offered by Louise Humphrey

In this episode, Louise and Michelle are joined by Anna Pollard of The Dog House Canine Spa in Leicestershire to explore how best to care for your dog’s coat, especially when you’re into canicross and other active dog sports. Anna shares her insights from years of grooming experience, explaining why proper maintenance of the coat and skin isn't just cosmetic but a key part of your dog’s wellbeing and performance. The conversation covers coat types (single vs double coat), grooming routines for active dogs, the role of brushing and bathing, pad and nail care, seasonal changes, and much more. Whether you’re a seasoned canicrosser or just beginning to run with your dog, this episode offers practical tips to help your canine companion feel and perform at their best — and maybe convert a non‑groomer into a regular brusher! Expect to learn how coat condition affects temperature regulation, how friction from harnesses can lead to matting, and how pad health and nails tie into overall musculoskeletal wellbeing. Timings 0:00 – Introduction  1:40 – Why grooming is important for active/canicross dogs 3:15 – How a coat works: insulation, heat regulation 5:45 – Brushing vs clipping: which to choose? 7:50 – Harness friction and matting danger zones 10:00 – Coats types: single vs double vs hybrid 12:30 – What is hand‑stripping and when to consider it 16:15 – How often should you brush and bathe? 20:20 – Choosing shampoos & avoiding human products 22:50 – After muddy runs: rinse or bathe? 24:30 – Nail length, pad health & impact on joints/gait 28:10 – Seasonal coat length and shedding challenges 31:00 – Heating, fleas and indoor environment effects 33:40 – Harness the expert: starting canicross: gear, pace, where to train 37:10 – Closing discussion & guest contact info 40:00 – Outro and call for reviews Links The Dog House Canine Spa website thedoghouseleicester.co.uk Instagram: @thedoghouse_spa Facebook: The Dog House Canine Spa

In this episode, Michelle and Louise chat with Ray, a canicross enthusiast with a pack of rescue dogs. Ray shares her journey from returning to the UK after seven years abroad, feeling isolated and looking for a way to connect socially and physically. She found the sport of canicross through her local club (Tees Valley Canicross), which offered both community and motivation.   She gives a warm, honest account of the challenges of running with Cloud, who is a mixed‑breed street dog rescue from China. She also shares how she is building up a new puppy‑rescue, Nomad from Cyprus, to join the team.   Ray covers the realities of canine health, the importance of harness and gear fit, inclusive club culture, and advice for people with reactive dogs. She encourages anyone who thinks “I’m not a runner” to still give canicross a try, highlighting that the real reward is the bond with the dog and the community around it.     Timings 00:00 – 02:00 ­ Introduction & Ray’s background 02:00 – 05:00 ­ Meet Ray’s dogs: Cloud, Nomad, older dogs 05:00 – 08:00 ­ Training and challenges with Nomad (harness anxiety, grass obsession) 08:00 – 11:00 ­ First races, social aspect of the club 11:00 – 14:00 ­ Why Ray doesn’t consider herself a “runner” & what changed post‑COVID 14:00 – 18:00 ­ Dog health story (dehydration, vertigo) and hydration lesson 18:00 – 22:00 ­ Season goals, 10K aim, Cloud’s future, balancing veteran dog 22:00 – 27:00 ­ Advice for new canicrossers: non‑runners, reactive dogs, using muzzles, equipment tips 27:00 – 30:00 ­ Harness The Expert: How to strengthen Achilles in pain from a pulling dog 30:00 – 31:00 ­ Final reflections & how to follow Ray (Instagram Fluffy Multipack)

Michelle and Louise chat to sports dietitian and author Renee McGregor about how to optimise fuelling across life stages - especially during perimenopause and after menopause - while also unpacking RED‑S, carbohydrate myths, and sensible supplement use.   Renee acknowledges how little conversation there has historically been about female hormonal transitions, and how women often experience a “wobbliness” in their energy, mood, and performance as hormones fluctuate unpredictably. She emphasises that menopause (and the years leading up to it) needn’t be a downhill spiral: “there’s a lot of women [who] feel they’ve reached their potential from an athletic point of view.” Key strategies she shares include replacing some cardio with strength-based work, choosing nutrient-dense whole foods (rather than rigid restriction), and listening to your body.   The trio discuss RED‑S (Relative Energy Deficiency in Sport), explaining that under‑fuelling (not eating enough to support both training and basic body function) can manifest via hormonal disruption, injury, digestive issues, mood or sleep disturbances, and stagnation in performance. Renee stresses that RED‑S affects recreational athletes too, not just elites.   On carbohydrates being demonised, Renee argues they are crucial: “Carbs per se are not bad … they provide your muscles with the energy you need.”   Finally, Michelle asks about supplements. Renee advises vitamin D (especially through UK winters), and checking iron/B12 when clinically indicated, but otherwise focusing on whole foods rather than a “pile of supplements.”       Links Renee McGregor’s latest book Fuel for Thought reneemcgregor.com Renee’s Instagram: @r_mcgregor Renee’s Substack newsletter: The Fuel Line

In this episode, Louise and Michelle chat to Lauren.   Lauren recounts how her 'failed' sheepdog Pip came into her life at 13 months old, having never truly bonded with farm work, and how the two forged an extraordinary connection in a family environment. From tentative first nights indoors, to running together in canicross, Lauren shares how this strong bond became a lifeline during a difficult season in her life. She opens up about losing her father to suicide, stepping back from her former high‑pressure work, and finding solace, purpose and community through running with Pip.   Along the way, she discovered a new passion, launched Me and My Dog Running Club, creating personalised apparel. A heart-warming episode, showing that healing and connection can take unexpected and wonderful forms.   We also chat about warm ups in our new feature Harness the Expert   Timings 0.00 – introduction & backstory: meeting Pip 3.50 – Pip’s personality, calm indoors vs energetic outdoors 5.20 – herding instinct & family dynamics on walks 7.00 – settling into house life, first nights indoors 9.00 – impact on child allergies & kids bonding with dog 10.30 – discovering canicross & first parkrun experience 13.00 – joining clubs, recce runs, community 16.00 – learning about kit, harness choices 18.00 – Pip’s running style, working as a team 20.30 – running without Pip, ultra training decisions 24.00 – doing the 50K ultra with Into Ultra support 28.30 – goals together: longer distances, exploring events 32.00 – how canicross changed Lauren’s life after loss 36.00 – starting Me & My Dog Running Club and personalised apparel 40.30 – Harness The Expert: How to warm up (you + dog) for a club run 45.00 – closing, social handles & where to find Lauren online Links & social Me and My Dog Running Club on Instagram Me and My Dog Running Club on Facebook Lauren’s personalised apparel website Into Ultra

In today's canicross story, we chat to Becky about how she tried canicross after her working dogs didn't really enjoy gundog training, and now she's hooked! Becky chats to us about how she started out with free running, experimenting with gundog training tools (like whistle recall), and the moment she realised what canicross was all about. She reflects on how both her dogs — Lexi the cautious Vizsla and Bronson the bold GSP — have adapted differently, and shares insights on training, strength work, confidence building, and managing your body as you join the sport. This episode is ideal for anyone curious about stepping into canicross (or already doing it) who wants a relatable story, practical tips, and encouragement to take that first tethered run.     Topics & timings 00:00:35 – Becky introduces herself, Lexi & Bronson 00:03:47 – complementing personalities of two working dogs 00:04:24 – attempt at gundog training and use of whistle 00:06:20 – Becky’s transition from CrossFit to biking to running 00:07:57 – first real canicross experience at Connect & Paws 00:09:10 – advice for beginners: take the first step 00:14:53 – changes seen in Lexi and Bronson from canicross 00:17:56 – recap of Becky’s recent Trail Dog 5K with obstacles 00:22:45 – Becky’s race plans and strategy with Lexi/Bronson 00:28:23 – preparing body: strength, stretching, cadence 00:32:33 – longevity in canicross, dealing with niggles 00:37:50 – balancing training vs resting days 00:38:56 – Becky teases a new project Follow Becky's beautiful Instagram page @lexi_and_bronson

In this insightful episode of Canicross Conversations, hosts Michelle and Louise are joined by Lucy Millar, founder of Rùn Dog Food, and Dr Jacqueline Boyd, an animal scientist and canine nutrition consultant. Together, they delve into the world of performance nutrition for active dogs, demystifying cold-pressed food, fuelling strategies, and how to navigate the myths of pet nutrition.   Lucy shares her journey from dog trainer to dog food entrepreneur, driven by her passion for transparency in the pet food industry.   Dr Boyd brings her scientific expertise to explore what dogs really need to thrive in sports like canicross, agility and working gundog roles. They cover everything from how to do an energy audit for your dog, to how joint health and digestion change with age, and why not all dogs benefit from simply eating more food.   You’ll come away with practical advice and a better understanding of how to support your dog’s performance and recovery.   Whether you're feeding raw, kibble, or cold-pressed, this episode encourages a balanced, informed approach.   Plus, Lucy shares exciting insights into what’s next for the Rùn brand.   Topics and timings 1.10 – why Lucy started Rùn Dog Food 4.30 – cold-pressed vs traditional kibble 8.45 – Jacqueline’s journey into canine nutrition 12.30 – do dogs need snacks like energy bars? 18.00 – energy bars for performance and recovery 25.15 – tailoring food quantity to activity levels 32.00 – how age affects digestion and nutrition 40.20 – feeding routines and fuelling strategies 48.10 – coprophagia and scavenging explained 53.00 – supplements, probiotics and joint support 59.30 – what’s next for Rùn Dog Food   Resources mentioned Rùn Dog Food website: https://rundogfood.com Use CONVERSATIONS10 for 10% off Instagram: @rundogfood Dr Jacqueline Boyd: Facebook and @dogtorboyd on Instagram CROWOOD10 provides 10% discount off Dr Boyd's books -  Canine Nutrition and Feeding AND The Spaniel Survival Guide Dr Boyd's Nutrition Consultancy booking form Energy audit equations: basic ones are found on pages 54 and 55 of  https://europeanpetfood.org/self-regulation/nutritional-guidelines/ and this is also a hugely useful resource recommended by Dr Boyd.

In today's canicross story, we chat to Becky about how she tried canicross after her working dogs didn't really enjoy gundog training, and now she's hooked! Becky chats to us about how she started out with free running, experimenting with gundog training tools (like whistle recall), and the moment she realised what canicross was all about. She reflects on how both her dogs — Lexi the cautious Vizsla and Bronson the bold GSP — have adapted differently, and shares insights on training, strength work, confidence building, and managing your body as you join the sport. This episode is ideal for anyone curious about stepping into canicross (or already doing it) who wants a relatable story, practical tips, and encouragement to take that first tethered run.     Topics & timings 00:00:35 – Becky introduces herself, Lexi & Bronson 00:03:47 – complementing personalities of two working dogs 00:04:24 – attempt at gundog training and use of whistle 00:06:20 – Becky’s transition from CrossFit to biking to running 00:07:57 – first real canicross experience at Connect & Paws 00:09:10 – advice for beginners: take the first step 00:14:53 – changes seen in Lexi and Bronson from canicross 00:17:56 – recap of Becky’s recent Trail Dog 5K with obstacles 00:22:45 – Becky’s race plans and strategy with Lexi/Bronson 00:28:23 – preparing body: strength, stretching, cadence 00:32:33 – longevity in canicross, dealing with niggles 00:37:50 – balancing training vs resting days 00:38:56 – Becky teases a new project Follow Becky's beautiful Instagram page @lexi_and_bronson

In this episode of Canicross Conversations, Louise and Michelle are joined by Claire, better known as @theyorkshirewhippets on Instagram.   Claire shares her upside-down journey into the world of canicross when a friend convinced her to enter a race with her whippet, Pip. From her early days of social running, to training for her first half marathon, Claire brings energy, honesty and giggles.   Listeners will hear about Claire’s transition from casual runner to competitive canicrosser, how she manages training with two very different dogs, and the importance of cross-training and recovery. She opens up about the challenges of running in hot weather, how yoga and horse riding have helped her canicross performance, and how she balances full-time work with a very active lifestyle.   The episode is packed with practical tips on kit, nutrition, and building confidence in younger dogs, especially for those working with breeds not traditionally seen as endurance runners. Claire also shares her reasons for fundraising for Stray Aid, and how this sport has become a meaningful part of her life.   Tune in for a heart-warming and humorous chat that celebrates the bond between dogs and humans, the joys (and face-plants) of trail running, and the importance of listening to your body and your dog.   Topics and timings 1.10 – Why dogs shouldn't run in the heat 4.30 – Claire's canicross journey begins 10.00 – Claire's first Trail Dogs experience 15.40 – Training and building fitness 22.00 – Whippets as endurance athletes 28.30 – Running kit upgrades 33.00 – Balancing life, work, and training 36.10 – Nutrition and fuelling for longer distances 41.50 – Funny stories and muddy mishaps 46.00 – Preparing Ivy for her first race 52.00 – Fundraising for Stray Aid   Resources mentioned Trail Dog events Non-stop free motion harness & trail belt Peak2Peak energy bars Episode 2 with Ann Carter (heatstroke and dogs) https://www.strayaid.org.uk/